In a move that could have significant reverberations for the political establishment in the East Valley, a Mesa Republican is expected to announce Tuesday that he will challenge one of Arizona’s most influential politicians.

Perhaps more than anything, the declaration of support by Gov. Jan Brewer for Senate President Russell Pearce, who is the first sitting legislator to officially face a recall in state history, affirms the enormity of the challenge of unseating a powerful politician like the incumbent Mesa Republican.

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer on Monday made a fundraising appeal on behalf of state Senate President Russell Pearce, a fellow Republican known nationally for championing legislation against illegal immigrants.

With the special election for the recall of Senate President Russell Pearce set for Nov. 8, both the backers and opponents of the recall effort must decide what to do with their organizational structures.